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35mm F1.4 Samyang or Rokinon Prime Lens
  • 156 Replies sorted by
  • alcomposeralcomposer
    Emailed Samyang- the word is that this lens was NOT designed for Follow Focus gear usage at all- otherwise the focus ring would have been less dampened.

    Just thought everyone should know- BTW: there is some more information from Samyang- however I have to double check if I can share... ; )
  • AlexauwaAlexauwa
    @LPowell Good to know. Thx!
  • stoneystoney
    Also the Nikon version has focus confirmation chip that can be used for some Nikon bodies.
  • LPowellLPowell
    @Alexauwa
    The major difference in Rokinon's Canon and Nikon versions is that the focus ring rotates in opposite directions, consistent with lenses made by Canon and Nikon. If you want a lens whose focus ring rotates in the same direction as Panasonic Lumix lenses, get the Canon version of the Rokinon 35mm f1.4. I got the Nikon version of the Rokinon because its reversed focus ring rotation works the way I prefer with the TrusMT Follow Focus unit.
  • AlexauwaAlexauwa
    When getting the Samyang 35mm 1.4 for canon or nikon mount, which adapter do you recommend for the GH2?
  • alcomposeralcomposer
    @Everyone
    I have been thinking about this- re: 35mm 1.4 Samyang movement... how 'stiff' is the focus ring on your units? Mine is quite dampened. Maybe too dampened- as the resistance causes the backlash. :(

    What should I do spray WD40 inside the ring or something? (joke)
    As I have found that pulling focus from 1-3 meters is quite ok... no issues with breathing for that distance.
  • stoneystoney
    Very nice. It's cheaper than a quick release!!

    All m43 adapters should have a leg like that.
  • alcomposeralcomposer
    Thanks @LPowell!

    Ill get one and report back here what it is like (I have a few gear reviews in the pipeline) I am a bit suspicious re the build quality- (would prefer a PL style) - but I may be surprised!

  • LPowellLPowell
    @alcomposer

    Good find! That does look like it would work. I made the Nikon lens mount in the photo above out of a cylindrical adapter, like this one:

    http://www.adorama.com/CZM43NK.html

    I mounted the adapter inside a collar mount made for a Canon telephoto lens, like this one:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EF-100mm-f-2-8-USM-Macro-Lens-Tripod-Mount-Ring-/260821785675?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cba309c4b

    The adapter was a bit smaller than the inside diameter of the collar. I cut a strip of 1/8th-inch thick rubber sheet to use as a gasket.

    Here's a link to the details on the shoulder rig:

    http://www.personal-view.com./talks/discussion/558/gh2-shoulder-mount-follow-focus-rig-gini-trusmt

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    @alcomposer

    It looks like Chinese now make many adapters with such mount.
    Pentax PK, Nikon F, etc
  • alcomposeralcomposer
    @VK- Not only with this lens- but this is quite a heavy and large lens so I notice it more :(

    @LPowell- I must be a troglodyte or something--- but I have NOT scene that mount! Please let me know where I can get this mount- considering my predisposition for Nikon Mount- this is outstanding!

    UPDATE: Any thoughts on this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-G-AF-S-F-Lens-Micro-4-3-M4-3-Mount-Adapter-Tripod-Mount-GF7-GF3-G3-/230695651512?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b68848b8#ht_5649wt_934

    UPDATE 27/11/2011
    Got the mount in the mail today! FANTASTIC! ROCK solid!
  • LPowellLPowell
    @alcomposer

    Here's how I mount the Rokinon 35mm on my follow-focus shoulder rig - it's very stable:

    P1040582.JPG
    3136 x 2352 - 2M
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    @alcomposer

    Only with this lens?
  • alcomposeralcomposer
    Re: Wobble:

    I have the 35mm 1.4... And I am experiencing a wobble- however it has nothing to do with the optical block inside the lens- the whole GH2 is simply moving up and down .5mm or so when I use the Follow Focus (seriously small pulls). Any ideas regarding GH2 stabilization - especially for this lens (and other larger lenses?)

    I am using a TrusMT FF + Shoulder Rig + Rails + Letus style quick release block.

    Maybe its time to get a cage?
  • TommyboyTommyboy
    @otcx

    I think it is a personal taste at this point. I went with Canon since I want to use it with the new FF from them.
  • otcxotcx
    I am intrested this lens a lot. What adapter would work best with this? Nikon? Canon?
  • stoneystoney
    Arrrggg... bad luck continues. I got a bad copy.

    When the lens is pointing toward upward, rotating the focus ring makes washboard scraping sound. It vibrates, too. Gotta exchange it.
  • stoneystoney
    It is a beast. But it sure looks great with Cinematics matte box. I bet some clients would be impressed by the look. Haha.
  • stefanosstefanos
    >BTW does it need a lens support?
    nah you'll be fine. it sure does look like a beast with the added adapter on the gh2 doesn't it? :)
  • stoneystoney
    No focus pulls on this baby.

    I didn't see the up and down issue either.

    BTW does it need a lens support?
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    >Nice for stills, but not usable for video; maybe only handheld.

    This must look like - "try not to use focus pulls".
    For interviews this lens works perfect.

    >Focusing makes the optical block inside wobble up and down

    35mm has heavy breathing, but I don't see up-down syndrome.
  • martinbeekmartinbeek
    I have this lens too, for a few months now. Nice for stills, but not usable for video; maybe only handheld.
    Focusing makes the optical block inside wobble up and down. If you turn the focus ring clockwise, the image moves up, if you turn it ccw, the image moves down. The optics move about half a millimeter, but on a 24 inch screen, it's already almost a centimeter. Guess what it looks like on a 20 foot cinema screen...
    I tried to swap it for a better one two times, but this is just a design flaw; the three lenses i've seen were identical. So, i've stopped using it.

    Martin
  • LPowellLPowell
    +1 @stonebat
    The Rokinon 35mm and 85mm lenses also work well with a follow focus on a small rig. The focus ring on the Nikon version rotates in the standard Nikon direction, which is opposite to the Four Thirds standard. With the TrusMT follow focus, I prefer the Nikon focus direction, as it pulls the focus point closer as I turn the follow focus knob toward me.
  • stoneystoney
    Samyang is internal focus. A big plus when using a matte box with 4x4 filters.

    GH body + m43 pancakes for candid photo. GH body + big lenses for video. It took me more than a year to make up my mind.

    I feel great about this purchase. YMMV.
  • tinyrobottinyrobot
    I still can't decide between the Samyang 35mm or the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AI-S. Two areas pulling me back is the size and build of the Samyang. Also, I have heard of the exposure shift on the Samyang through the different apertures. If anyone has experience with both, it would be great to hear.
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